Lenz L1-USB on Windows 7. Help needed!

Discussion in 'Computer Automation' started by Keith M, Mar 10, 2019.

  1. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Well, I've decided to try and use the L1-USB unit I've had for a couple of years, on a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit equipped PC to control my layout. The control unit is LZV100, version 3.6, and I'm assuming that the L1-USB is an earlier version, so I need to update this to V3.6, but it seems that the Lenz website is undergoing some sort of revamp, and apart from being only in German at present (which I don't speak and Google won't translate!) there don't appear to be the links needed to download this update or the L1-USB Server software I'll also need. I'm not familiar with Windows anyway, which doesn't help (I use an iMac), so can anyone help with a link or copy of the required software update for this. I've been able to find the information on how to actually do this update, just need the software, and once 'up and running', I'd like to use JMRI to control the layout, possibly with a conversion of my current points control from switches to PC control, although that might be a long term project. Any helpers please bear in mind that I'm a ''Windows Dumkopf'', so please keep it 'step-by-step' and simple!

    Keith.
     
  2. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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  3. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Looking at Timbersurf's post, you are going to need a replacement eeprom with version 3.6 on it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    mmmmm - time to upgrade :avatar:

    You could even get the Merg one and have the fun of building, the command station, 5A booster and handset(s) :thumbs: - gowan you know you want to :avatar:


    Paul
     
  4. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    That's not the correct unit Paul and Timber, the one in your pic is the LZ100 control unit. The unit I need to update is the L1-USB interface unit,(which Colin W had some fun with trying to get it to work on Windows10 some time ago). This can be updated for Windows 7 64 bit which I need by downloading the update from the Lenz website, but 'cos it's being revamped and is only in German at present, the software download seems to have gone AWOL so I can't find it to download it. I am hoping someone might have a link or the update software they could send me to help out. Not interested in the MERG units, too fully committed to Lenz to change now.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2019
  5. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    The unit in question is only about 4"x2"x1", photo below, and I have the instructions for download/install, but can't find the software download link presently as Lenz in it's wisdom has seen fit to remove it whilst sorting out the new site. Why they couldn't have left the old site with it's download links running whilst they sorted out and completed the new site I don't know......obviously these Germans aren't as clever as they'd have us believe, or am I being too logical?

    IMG_1404.JPG
     
  6. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Meine Deuche ist not gut but hear ist der linken! :avatar:

    https://www.lenz-elektronik.de/digitalplus-faq-digitalpluspcrouter.php#faq192
    USB Interface 23150: Treiber für WIN10


    Press the "hier"

    Einen Treiber für das USB-Interface 23150 zur Verwendung mit Windows10(c) können Sie [​IMG]hier herunterladen.


    P.S. It is LI not L1, for Lenz Interface
    P.P.S. in case there are any real Germans in the house, "Mein Deutsch ist nicht gut, aber hier ist der Link"
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2019
  7. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    This is for Windows 10, not 7 Timber, and I understand that there is one specifically for the 64 bit Windows 7 that I have. Thanks for trying to help, maybe you know more German than I do.:giggle:

    Keith.
     
  8. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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  9. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Aber Herr Holzsurfen dein Deutsch ist sehr gut
     
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  10. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Also meine Fähigkeiten mit einem PC und Google übersetzen! Herr Paul

    Also helps that I work for a German company!
    Back in the day, I was using Lenz motor drives (inverters) in industry before Herr Lenz started mass manufacturing DCC!
     
  11. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk

    Try one of these. Works with all versions of windows, decoder pro and WiThrottleLite on your mobile, so you can program, control and drive for the price of a small USB interface and some free download software.
     
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  12. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi Timber.
    Thanks for your help, patience and understanding. As things stand at the moment, I have now been able to download, unzip and load the software onto my PC, so far, so good. I now need to shift the PC, monitor etc up into the loft, set it up and connect it to my LZV 100 control unit before I can do anything further, as the LI-USB unit has to be connected to both layout and PC to be able to first find the unit and detect it before I can upload the updated software. I am somewhat tight for space up there, so I need to sort out and fix a wall bracket for the monitor before I can connect anything up, so there may be an interval of a few days before I have the time to do this. I'll report back in due course, hopefully with some positive results, in the meantime, my grateful thanks.
    .......and I still don't know any German!:avatar:


    Keith.
     
  13. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Your welcome Keith, I know little German, i know less about DCC, but I do know my way around the interwnetb! :avatar:
     
  14. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Well, after some bits ordering and exercising my fabrication skills(?), I now have the monitor installed on a wall mount, bolted to an angled aluminium casing I had to make up to fit to the slope of the roof (mine's a loft layout, remember), and whilst I was at it, I decided it would look better painted, so it got 2 primer, 2 grey undercoat and 2 black top coats to at least make it look a bit more 'professional'. I had to use some 'mini-trunking' to get the cables up to the monitor in a tidy fashion from the PC as that's under my control/work bench out of the way, but at least it's now complete. I've had only a partial success with setting up the Lenz LI-USB unit, as the PC can't find it, despite being plugged into the PC's USB and the Expressnet connected to my LZV100 control unit, though I now have the version 3.6 software on the PC, and all the Lenz 'Add-on' icons on the desktop. I did manage to add a 'Bluetooth' PCI board into the PC, which enabled me to get rid of the horrible big Microsoft USB keyboard, and use a spare Apple wireless bluetooth keyboard I happened to have, so that gives me more space on my desk, and I re-downloaded "Anyrail" software and re-registered it so I can use that if needed, so at least I 'THINK' I'm progressing, but still stuck on trying to get the PC to find the LI-USB unit. Anyhow, here's the setup so far.

    IMG_1406.JPG
     
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  15. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    This is the 'screenshot' so far. When the LI-USB unit is plugged in to the PC and the LZV100, I have the red "Expressnet" LED lit, but not the green "USB" one, no idea why not, anyone any thoughts as to why the PC can't find the LI-USB? I can't find any way to check which port (serial or otherwise) this might be using, though that will likely be because I'm not familiar with Windows 7, so any help or ideas forthcoming would be welcomed, but please keep it 'step-by-step'.
    Keith.

    IMG_1407.JPG
     
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  16. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    looks jolly professional Keith, I think you can edit the post and remove the exclamation
     
  17. Mr Porter

    Mr Porter Failure is always an option. Full Member

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    Keith, Does the PC recognise other USB devices ? - If not could be a driver issue (Windows not Loco)
    Jim
    :headbanger:
     
  18. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Click windows icon bottom left
    type "manager" in the search box
    select and click "Device Manager"
    Scroll down and select Universal Bus controllers
    Click the triangle to show the devices

    Hopefully you may see one you recognise

    Right click on it and select "Update Driver Software..."
    Click search automatically

    If that does not do it, you could try doing a windows update, Windows update in the search and install all latest updates
     
  19. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Ok, I’m on Win7, so I’ve had a look.

    Hopefully, yours is laid out the same as mine.

    Hit the “windows key” or click the windows icon bottom left.

    Right click (not usual left) on “computer” and select “Properties”.
    2434539A-8948-47A6-B29F-C60DE85F1B13.jpeg

    This will open up the following control panel..

    Click on device manager.
    AC8CAF4E-8C4E-4BA1-B9DD-B17B26039676.jpeg

    Search under usb for your device.
    7E419508-C197-4BD2-AB7D-8FA1DBC65B97.jpeg

    Look for the “Ports (COM & LPT) and it should tell you what port your USB device is on..
    EB1D8F6A-0421-47E0-9ED3-CA78F66697B6.jpeg

    Hope this helps?
     
  20. RFS

    RFS Full Member

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    You have a very old version of the Lenz CV-Editor installed. The latest version is 1.5 and can be downloaded from here - https://www.lenz-elektronik.de/digitalplus-cv-editor.php. On this page click on the download on the RH side and on the screen that comes up click on the line with "zip" in it. The manual is unfortunately in German, but the software has an English language option and it's pretty self-explanatory.

    Uninstall the current version and install this new one. On the first screen there's a setup tab and there you can specify the COM port (in your case COM4) that it is to use.
     

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